Armature-assembling apparatus



March 6, 1926. 1,661,363

G. W. ELSEY ARMATURE ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 12. 1926 3Sheets-Sheet l March 6, 1928. 1,661,363

G. w. ELSEY ARMATURE ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 12. 1926 3Sheets-Sheet 5 (Inc; we 4 Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED OFFICE.

GEORGE mus,'Qr hmeas mmim, AssIGNon, Brunette nssrenimnrrsgrroDELCO-REMY CORPORATION, or DAYTON, 01:10, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Mink; I. ..l i ARMATURE ASSEMBLING APPARATUS.

Application ineaiandai 12,1926. sem m. 30,760.

This invention relates to the manufactiire of arniatures tordynamo-electric machines. v

It is fl-I IlOIlg theobjects of the invention to reduce the cost ofassemblingthe commutator upon the armature shaft, and to this end theinvention provides a machine for facilitating the rapid assembly ofcommutator.

and armature. shafts. 1 y

urther object-s and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, referencebeing had to tlie accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the presentfinventionis clearly shown.

Inthe drawings; y I v y N Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view partly insectionof amachine embodying the present invention. I

Fig, 1% is a. sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 1. p 7

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views on the lines 22 and 3+3 respectivelyof Fig. 1.

4 is a sideview partly in section of 5 the power operating mechanism forthe machine shown in Fig. 1. This view being takenin the direction ofthe arrow 4 in Fi .1.

Fig. 5 is mz chine and forms a continuation of the view shown in Figl l.I

Fig. 6 is a sectional View on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 showing one of thevalves for controlling the pressure .fluid admitted to thecylihder'shown iii Fig. 4.

Figs; 7 and 8 are sectional views on the line 7-7. of Fig. 1 showing theapparatus in two positions of operation.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig.9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of Fig. 9.

The machine which is about to be describech'eoinpriseschiefly (1) afixture for receiving an assembly of an armature, a shaft," a core andwindings, (2) means for maintaining theends oI" thearmature windings incorrect spaced relation so that they maly 'be received by notches in therisers of the: commutator ba fa a fixture for telnpoi'a-rily holding thecommutator and keeping it in aligninent wit h the armature core prior toassembling it on the core, (4) power operated means for pressingthecommutater'upoa the armature shaft, and ('5) mecha verticalsectionalview of the anism for moving the connnutator fixture into alignment withthe armature shaft and for causing the armature conductor leads tobe'maintained in correct spaced relation and for causing the power meansto operate to press the commutator upon the shaft.

Armature support; I I

The machine includes a base which is adapted to be supported by atable'v2l. The

base 20 is providedwitli a centrally apertur'ed'boss 22 to which isattached by bolts 23 a tubular member 24. In alignment with the tube24the boss 22 supports a sleeve 25 adapted to receive an armatureassembly which is indicated by the relatively line dotand dash'lines inFig. 1. This assembly includes a core 26 carrying windings 27 andmounted on-a shaft 28; i

In order to locate the armature core-correctly relative to the armaturesupport there is provided alocating'jplunger 5O (shown in section in Figs. 9 and 9f) havinga relader 5% providing a projection 51. Thisprojection extends through a slot in the sleeve Spring 54*, interposedbetween the plug'and the-plunger 50, maintains the shoulder 54.yieldably against the outer surface of the sleeve 25. r

Referring to Fig. 5 the lower end of the shaft 28 is supported by ablock 56 which isr-eceived by the tube 24 and is supported bya nut 57threadedly engaging the sleeve 24. The nut 57 is turned by rods58eXtending therefrom. The particular block 56 which is shown in thedrawing is replace able by other blocksof dillerentdimensions determinedby the longitudinal dimension of the armature core and shaft assembly.It is apparent that the distance between the base 20 and the bottomsurface 59 of the recessin the 'block 56 will determine the endwiselocation of the commutator relative to the arh ature shaft. H I Meansfor maintaining tfie end s ofjhe m mature windings in correct [spacedrela- The was for mainta n ng th 6 3 1 the armature windings incorrectspaced relation so that they may be received by the notches inthe risers ot the commutator bars comprises a plurality of radiallymovable slides 30 which are guided by radially disposed notches 31located in a disc which is supported within a recess -33 provided by thebase. 20. Each slide Ittl carries a stud 3t which is received by agroove 35 provided by a rotatable disc 36 having a journal portion 37which is received by the recess 33. The disc 36 is retained upon base 20by screws 38 which pass through slots 39 in the disc. The grooves :35are oblique to the radial notches 31 and are so disposed that therotation of the disc 36 couliter-clockwise From the position shown inFig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 8 will cause the slides 2.0 to moveinwardly toward the armature shaft 28 as shown in Fig. 8. The slides 30have wedge sl aped ends which are adapted to extend between the ends ofthe armature conductors and to maintain them in the desired spacedrelation. As shown in Fig. 8 numeral 40 refers to the armature conductorends which are located in an outer circular row concentric with thearn'iature shaft, and numeral etl refers to those conductor ends whichare located in an inner circular row.

Ulmmuwuzmfor aupportz'm fil /um.

In Fig. 1 the relatively heavy dot; and dash lines indicate the outlineot a commutator (it) which is to be pressed upon the armature shaft 28.The fixture for supporting the commutator (30 includes an inverted cupshaped member 61 which receives tour clam iing segments 62 each of whichis sup ported by the end of a screw 3 carried by cup til. These clampingsegments (52 are yieldingly urged against the commutator (it) by twoctmtinuous coil springs G-twhich are received by suitable grooves in thesegments 6:2, thus the commutator is maintained trictionally in theposition shown in Fig. l. Numeral 65 indicates one of the notched riscrswhich is to receive a pair of armature conductor end: i and ll. Inlfigs. l", which is a bottom view oi the commutator .tixture, numeraltit; indicates a space between adjacent commutator risers 65. In orderto locate the commutator 60 correctly with respect to theltl'll'ltltltlt: core 26 the cup 61 is provided with a tug ($7 which isreceived by one of the spaces 66.

The cup (31 is secured by a. screw (58 to a rod 69 having a flat 70engaged by the screw 68. Therefore, the cup 61 is not rotatable relativeto the rod 6.). Rod (39 is guided for vertical movement by a bracket '70having a hub 71 which is rotatable about one of two posts 72 which aresupported by the base 20. The lower end of the hub 71 rests upon a cam 73 which is rotatable about the post 72 and is supported by the base 20.

The bracket 70 carries a key 74- which is received by a key-way 75provided in the rod (3.9. Therefore, rod ()9 is nou-rotatable relativeto the bracket 70. (ed 6.) is maintained in the upper position shown inFig. l by a spring 76 located between the bracket 70 and a shoulder tit)provided by the rod tit).

By mechanism to be described the bracket 'Tt) is moved from thecommutator loading and unloading position shown in Fig. T to theposition shown in Fig. 5 in which the commutator is located in alignmentwith the armature shalt. A collar T7 is tixcd to the right hand post 72and carries a set screw 75 located in adjusted position by a lock nut 79and adapted to engage a pin 60 carried by the bracket 70. The screw 78provides a stop which is adjustable in order to cause the commutator tobe located in alignment with the armature shaft when the pin St) engagesthe screw 78 as shown in Fig.

lou-cr open/tad mechanism.

The power operated mechanism for pressing the commutator upon thearmature shat't includes a plunger 81 which is guided by bearings 82 and83 provided respectively by a housing t-l-t and a housing cover 85. Thehousing S-l supported by the posts Ti! 2.

clearly shown in Fig. l. Housing 51 supports a tluid pressure cylinderSt; containing a piston b? which is attxurhed to a. rod llod carries apin 85) which is connected by links with pins 91 which connect pairs ottoggle links 92 and il The links )3 are connected at their upper endswith pins 9'1 supported by the cover 85. The links i are connected attheir lower ids with the plunger 81 by a pin 05. It. is obvious that thead nission ot' a pressure fluid in the cylinder St; to the lctt of thepiston 87 will cause the piston to move to the right and the togglelinks 512 and 13 to be straightened so that the plunger 81 will movedownwardly. .Vhen pressure fluid is admitted to the cylinder Ht; to theright of the piston 87 th piston will be moved to the left to return thepower operated mechanism to the posilion r-liOWlt in Figs. 1 and t.

(for/trot nzcciirrm'sm.

The mechanism which controlsthe move ments of the spacing slides iit andof the brackets it)" and the operation of the toggle mechanism justdescribed comprises the cam 73 which is rotated manually by a handle100. The cam 73 is provided with a cam slot 101 which receives a stud102 attached to the plate 36. Rotation of the cam 73 from the positionshown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 8 will cause the plate 36 to bemoved eounter-clockwise in order that the slides 30 may be advancedtoward the work as shown in Fig. 8. This movement of the cam 73 causesthe bracket 70" to be moved from the position shown in Fig. 7 to thatshown in Fig. 8 by means of connection which include a lug 103 (showninFig. 3)

; attached to the cam 73, and a spring 1'0-1 which transmitsmotion in acounter-clockwise direction from "the lug 103 to a plug 105 which closesone end of a recess. 106 provided in the hub 71 of the bracket for thepurpose of receiving the spring 10 1. Thus'the bracket 70 is moved intothe pos tion shown in Fig. 8 by movement of the handle 100 in acounter-clockwise direction, and the pin 80 is yieldingly pressedagainst the stop screw 78.

The cam 73 also controls two valves 110 and 111 which respectivelycontrol the passage of pressure fluid through pipes 112 and 113 whichare connected respectively with the stuthng box end 11 1' and the headend 115 of the cylinder .86.

As shown in Fig. 6 either valve 110 or 111 comprises a valve body 116having an inlet passage 117, an exhaust passage 118 and an outletpassage 119. The passage 117 leads into an intermediate passage 120whichwill be connected with the exhaust passage 118 when the valve 121 isseparated from its seat 122. But when the valve 121 is closed and avalve 123 is separated from its seat 124 then the passage 120 will beconnected with the outlet passage 119. The'valve 121 is supported by astem 125 which is slidable in a plunger 126 closed at its outer end.

- Aspring 127 is'located between the closed end of the plunger 126 andthe valve stem- 125. The plunger 126 is slidable through a bearing 128provided by a cover 129 for one end of the valve body. The valve 123 iscarried by a stem 130 slidably through a bearing 131 which is providedby the cover 132 for the other end of the body 116. A plug 133 closesthe central opening in the cover 132. It is ap arent, therefore, thatwhen the plunger 126 is pushed inwardlv the valve inlet passage 117 andthe outldt passage 119 will be connected, and the exhaust passage 118disconnected. a

The plungers 126 of the valves 110 and 111 are located in the path ofmovement of the cam 7 3. When the bracket 7 0 is in the position shownin Fig. 7 the plunger 126 of the valve 111 is pushed inwardly so thatthe pressure fluid will be admitted through the pipe 113 to the head endof the cylinder 86 thereby causing the ;power operating mechanism to bemoved into the position shown in Fig. 4. The cam being out of engagementwith the plunger 126 of the valve 110, this valve will cause thestufiing box end of the cylinder to be connected with atmosphere throughthe pipe 112 of the exhaust passage of the valve 110. Movement of thelever 100 in a clockwise direction firstcauses the slides" 30 to beadvanced between the pairs of ends of the armature conductors tomaintain them in proper alignment with the commutator'riser notcheswhich are to receive the bars,'-and movement of the lever 100 .in thisdirection will cause the commutator which has-been p'lacectwithin theholder cup 61 to be located in alignment with an armature which has beenplaced within the fixture as previously described. Moving the lever 100in this same direction after the bled will cause the cam to move awaywork pieces are in condition to be assem from the plunger 126 of thevalve 111 and to engage. the plunger 126 of the valve 110.

This will cause pressure fluid to be admitted to the stuiiing box end ofthecylinder 86 through the valve 110 and the pipe 112. At the same timethe head end of the cylinder will be connected with atmosphere throughthe pipe 113 and thcexhaust passage in the valve 11. 'lhe'refore, thepiston 87 will move toward the right to straighten the toggle links 92and-93 and to cause the plunger 126 to move downwardly so that thelatter will move the rod 69 and the commutator 60 downwardly over theshaft 28. As the coinmutator is pressed-fitted to the shaft it willremain attachedv to the shaft while the rod 69 and the commutator head61 are elevated. This operation is accomplished by moving the lever 100from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown-in Fig. 7.

After the commutator and shaft assenn,

bling operation has been performed the armature is removedfromthelixture. Should the armature tend to stick to the sleeve 25,removal of the armature is facilitated by the operator pressingdownwardly on a pedal 140 pivoted 1 11 upon a stationary bracket 142.Clockwise'movement of the pedal as viewed in Fig. 5 causes a rod 143connectedwith the pedal to'move upwardly through a suitable opening 1&4:in the nut 57 and to move the armatureshaft sup-' porting block- 56upwardly. Therefore, this operation will assist in dlslodging thearmathe right liaiid'the operator may place a commutator within theholder 61 then grasp the handle 100 and move it toward h1m. The work ofalignlng and assembling operations are preformed automatically. After athe assembly the operator moves the handle 100 away from him anduses theleft hand to remove the assembled armature from the fixture, the work ofremoval being assisted by operating the pedal 1 10 when necessary.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms mightbe adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

\Vhat is claimed is as follows:

1. Armature assembling apparatus comprising. in combiinition. workholders adapted to hold an armature shaft and a commutator in alignment,power operated means for causing one of the holders to move axiallyrelative to the other, and means for moving one of the holders relativeto the other to cause the shaft and commutator to become aligned, andfor ett'ecting the operation of the power means after the holders are inal gnment.

Armature assembling apparatus comprising. in combination, work holdersadapted to hold an armature shaft and a commutator in alignment, poweroperated mains for causing the commutator holder to move axiallyrelative to the shaft holder, and means for n'ioving the commutatorholder into and out of alignment with the shaft holder and for etlectingthe operation of power means after the commutator holder has been movedinto alignment with the shaft holder.

3. Armature assembling apparatus comprising in combination, work holdersadapted to hold an armature shaft and a commutator in alignment, one ofthe holders being stationary, power means including an endwise movableplunger in alignment with the stationary holder, a rod carrying theother holder and movable between the plunger and stationary holder andinto alignment therewith, a movable bracket carrying the rod, and meansfor moving the bracket so as to align the rod and movable holder withthe plunger and stationary holder and for effecting the movement of theplunger toward the rod after the movable holder has been aligned withthe stationary holder.

a Armature assembling apparatus comprising. in combination, work holdersadapted respectively to hold in alignment :1 commutator and an assemblyof armature shaft. core and conductors, means for moving one of theholders axially relative to the other to drive the commutator upon theshatt, means for moving the conductor ends into alignment with therisers to which they are respectively to be connected, and means havinga common operating member for moving one of the work holderstransversely into alignment with the other holder and for effecting theoperation of the conductorend-aligning-means.

Armature assembling apparatus comprising, in combination, work holdersadapted respectively to hold in alignment a commutator and an assemblyof armature shalt, core and conductors, means for moving one of theholders axially relative to the other to drive the commutator upon theshaft, means for moving the conductor ends into alignment: with therisers to which they are respectively to be connected, and means havinga common operating member for moving the commutator holder transverselyinto alignment with the other holder, and for eli'ecting the operationof the conductorend-alignbig-means,

(3. .M'Inature assembling apparatus comprising, in combination, workholders adapted respectively to hold in alignment a commutator and anassembly oi: armature shaft", core and conductors, means for moving thecommutator holder axially relative to the other holder to drive thecommutator upon the shaft, means for moving the conductor ends intoalignment with the risers to which they are respectively to beconnected, and means having a common operating member for moving thecommutator holder transversely into alignment with the other holder andfor effecting the operation of the conductor-cnd-alignirig-means.

7. Armature assen'ibling apparatus comprising, in combination, workholders adapted respectively to hold in alignment :1 commutator and anassei'nbly of armature shaft, core and conductors, power means formoving one of the holders axially relative to the other to drive theconnnutator upon the shaft, :1 controller for the power means, means formoving the conductor ends into alignment with the risers to which theyare respectively to be connected, and means including a common operatingmember for eltecting the operation of the conductorend-aligninganeansand then the actuation of the controller to cause the power means todrive the commutator upon the shaft.

8. Apparatus defined by claim 7 in which the power means moves thecomn'nitator holder axially relative to the other holder.

9. Armature assembling apparatus comprising, in combination, workholders adapted respectively to hold in alignment a commutator and anassembly of armature shalt, core and conductor, power means for movingone of the holders axially relative to the other to drive the commutatorupon the shaft, a controller for the power means, means for moving theconductor ends into alignment with the risers to which they arerespectively to be connected, and means including a common operatingmember for moving one of the work holders transversely into alignmentwith the other work holder and for effecting the operation of theconductor-end-aligning-means and then the actuation of the controller tocause the power means to drive the comn'iutator upon the shaft.

10. Assemblin apparatus for armatures including a sha t t and acommutator, comprising in combination, an'armature support; a commutatorsupporting fixture adapted to hold the commutator in proper axial andradial alignment with the armature shaft; and means for producing axialmovement of one of said supports relative to the other, to cause thecommutator to be forced upon the armature shaft.

11. Assembling apparatus for armatures including a shaft and acommutator, comprising in combination, an armature sup port; acommutator supporting fixture including means for frictionally holdingthe commutator in proper axial and radial alignment with the armatureshaft; and means for producing axial movement of one of said supportsrelative to the other, to cause the commutator to be forced upon the armature shaft.

12. Assembling apparatus for armatures including a shaft and acommutator, comprising in combination, an armature support; a commutatorsupporting fixture pivotally supported and adaptedto swing thecommutator into proper axial'and radial alignment with the armatureshaft; and means for producin axial movementof one of said supportsrelative to the other when they are axially aligned, to cause'thecommutator to be pressed upon the armature shaft.

l3. Assemblin apparatus for armatures including a shat and a commutator,comprising in combination, a support adapted to hold the armatureagainst movement; a pivoted arm; a non-rotatable plunger slidablysupported by said arm; a commutator supporting fixture rigidly securedto said plunger; means for swingingithe arm so as to bring the saidsupporting fixture in axial alignment with the armature shaft;

means in said fixture for properly locating.

the commutator therein so that it will properly align, axially andradially, with the shaft when the fixture is swung into alignment withsaid shaft; and means for moving the plunger toward the armature tocause the commutator to be the armature shaft.

14. Assembling apparatus for armatures including a shaft and acommutator, comprising in combination, a support adapted to hold thearmature against movement; a pm supporting-fixture for engaging the armature to maintain said armature and fixture in proper radial alignment;and means for moving the plunger toward the armature to cause thecommutator to be pressed upon the armature shaft.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

GEORGE W.- ELSEY.

pressed upon

